The Forge of a Kingdom
The flourishing trade could no longer be governed by gold coins or precious artifacts from different kingdoms. The currency was to embody the unity and power of Cælora. Unity, but also stability.
The buildings in the old districts had been transformed, enlarged and refurbished to accommodate the new institutions. Government seats, offices for ambassadors, and above all grandiose training rooms where dragons and their allies could sharpen their powers. Boom! A shock was heard in one of these rooms, which was a sign of intense training. Cælora, like the dragons that ruled her, was forging a new identity for herself.
In a huge room in the heart of the kingdom, Duke Darius, Volmeryn's subordinate, was watching his army. He watched the hundreds of vampires training in tight ranks. Swoosh! Every movement was executed with fluidity and precision.
Clang! The blades were rattling everywhere. Darius' vampires were unique, far beyond mere creatures of the night.
He turned to one of his lieutenants, a silver-haired vampire.
«Valdus, I want a strike force that exceeds anything the world has ever seen.»
Valdus (bowing his head): "Hmph." «Yes, my duke. We are currently training the best in our ranks. Whoosh. Each vampire in our army has a special skill that sets them apart from the others. Some manipulate shadows, others illusions. But our greatest strength lies in regeneration and immortality.»
Darius: «That's good. But we need more. We have to be prepared for anything, especially now that the five dragons are starting to forge their own empire. They will not let our influence expand unchecked.»
Cling! Blades collided in the distance, accompanied by the echoes of the workouts. Darius was watching another group of vampires, led by one of his commanders who wore silver armor.
This commander, Kaelen, a centuries-old vampire, approached Duke Darius respectfully. Tchac! With the sound of his boots echoed on the ground.
Kaelen: «My lord, the troops' training is almost over. We have many subordinates ready to serve. We've also recruited allies from other creatures of the night, lycans, and even wraiths. Our army is ready to be deployed according to your orders.»
Darius (satisfied smile): «So, we need to discuss new initiatives to strengthen our position. Tick... Cælora is not just about physical strength. It is a question of politics and economics. We need to be more subtle. When we control the currency, we control everything.»
Kaelen: «My lord, these training sessions... They are impressive, but they will not be enough.»
Darius: «Do you doubt my orders, Kaelen?»
Kaelen: «Never. But I know war, and I know what it costs. Crack! I did not survive three centuries by blindly following the plans of my superiors. The enemy will be watching us. We have to train our troops for the unpredictable, not just discipline.»
Darius (smiles slightly): «Then show me what you offer. Maybe you're right.»
Kaelen: «I don't intend to let my soldiers die for mistakes I've already made in the past.»
Volmeryn stood in the large central square of Cælora, watching a group of advisors and bankers discuss around tables covered with maps and intricate calculations.
The creation of the Cælora mint had required careful organization. There was no longer any question of allowing outsiders to dominate the kingdom's economy with foreign coins. Cælora needed a currency that symbolized its independence and prosperity.
Lysandros stood nearby and discussed with members of the economic committee the creation of the first gold, silver, and bronze coins.
Lysandros: «This currency will not simply be used to exchange goods. It will be a symbol of our power. Each room will contain a tiny fraction of the energy of the realm itself. We are going to imbue this currency with a magical aura that will make its use more efficient and more difficult to counterfeit.»
The banker, a frail but shrewd man, was quite intrigued: «But my lord Lysandros, is it possible to incorporate such magic into the making of money? I'm afraid that the production technology is not advanced enough...»
Lysandros (with a slight smile): «It's just a question of willpower. If you have a little magic on your side, you will be able to understand that anything is possible.»
Fwoosh! He made an elegant gesture and a gold coin floated in the air and was surrounded by a golden glow.
Lysandros: «Look at this piece. It is not only a means of exchange. It is the very representation of Cælora's strength. And it will ensure that those who use it understand that they are under our power.»
The banker stared at the coin floating in the air with enthusiasm: «Imbued with magic, you say... A living currency.»
«Exactly», Lysandros replied.
The banker bowed his head. In his eyes shone a kind of greed: «And who will control this currency? Who will decide the value of the coins? A centralized economy... if it is based on magic, it makes the whole kingdom dependent on those who hold this power.»
Lysandros: «That's the point. »
The banker: «I see. In this case, it would be wise to keep an eye on those who handle this tool. A flaw in your system could ruin the entire kingdom. But of course, I am at your service to prevent this from happening.»
Lysandros (bursts out laughing): «Ahaha! Clever, little man. But keep in mind: magic is also a tool of control.»
A mischievous smile appeared on the banker's lips. "Hehe..." He already knew that he could turn this system to his advantage, if the opportunity arose.
In another corner of the kingdom, Lyara, Volmeryn's subordinate elf, oversaw the training of elven cavalry units. Elves were rare in Cælora, but they were a valuable asset. Agile, fast, and with a mastery of nature's magic, their role was to provide both magical and strategic support in the field.
Lyara stood in the center of the great courtyard, her eyes peering into the maneuvers:«Don't just follow my orders. Become the wind, become the shadows. Your horses must never stop, your archers must never falter.»
Fwshhh! The elves lined up in a perfect squadron with bows outstretched and arrows ready to be thrown.
CLOP-CLOP-CLOP. Volmeryn came up behind her, his boots echoing on the ground.
Volmeryn: «You did well, Lyara. These elves are valuable assets.»
Lyara: «They are my children, and I forged them in the steel of discipline. But our true strength lies in our ability to unite with the dragons. It's a new era, isn't it?»
Volmeryn: «There is strength in numbers. But for this force to have a real impact, we must prepare for any eventuality. The kingdom is not yet invincible.»
In the heart of Cælora's market, a blacksmith with a worn apron had a glittering coin between his fingers.
«Cling! »The room turned between her fingers, it reflected the sunlight.
«You mean this piece is always worth the same thing, no matter where I go?» he would ask.
A neighboring cloth merchant moved his head:
«Exactly. No need to weigh the gold or negotiate the value of the gems.»
The blacksmith couldn't help laughing. "Ha! Ha! Ha!"
«By the flames of Vulcanus, it is a blessing! No more cheating with these nobles who underweigh their bags of gold.»
Traders began to exchange magic coins. They were fascinated by their brilliance and consistent weight. "Cling! Cling!" The coins emitted sounds as they passed from hand to hand.
In the euphoria, a bard improvised a song:
«A room for everyone, that never rusts,
The future lights up in its perfect brilliance.»
"Tzing! Tzing!" The strings of his lyre vibrated.
But in the distance a nobleman watched the scene with displeasure. He knew that this new system would upset their control of wealth in the Kingdom.
In the gilded hall of a mansion, a nobleman in an embroidered robe slammed his fist against a table. "BAM!"
«A single currency? It's an outrage! This will put our land and gold on the same level as the possessions of a simple peasant.»
A noble woman intervened calmly:
«It's not just about value. This centralized currency is a political weapon. Lord Lysandros will have complete control over our finances.»
«So what? What do we have left?» said a young aristocrat. "CRASH!" He threw a golden cup that fell to the ground.
«The banks? Taxes? We will no longer have any leverage of power.»
The woman would cross her arms and start thinking about a plan.
«So, we have to find a way to sabotage this system... subtly.»
In a smoky tavern, a group of peasants were chatting over a pot of beer. "Glou! Glou!"
«They say these new parts can't be stolen», an old man whispered.
A woman was puffing her head: «Tss...Pieces that shine and float in the air? It's Sorcery. And sorcery brings trouble.»
A young farmer intervened: «But if it's true, we won't need to hide our gold under the boards anymore. No more bandits to fear.»
«That's what they want you to believe», another man replied.
«But who controls the magic behind these pieces? If Lord Volmeryn decides that your money is no longer worth anything, what will you do?»
A silence set in. "Crrrr..." A chair made a noise as a man changed his position. In the shadows, a hooded figure, probably a spy of Lysandros, was listening to their conversation.
That evening, the wind in the streets of Cælora carried away the murmurs of the inhabitants and soldiers.
Volmeryn, Lysandros, Darius had gathered in the great hall of the castle to discuss the next development projects.
Volmeryn: «Cælora must become a power that surpasses anything we have known. Only by joining forces, whether through magic, economics or war, can we dominate the future.»
Lysandros: «We have already started to do this. Money, armies... It's all part of the whole.»
Darius: «All this is good, but let's not forget that we have to remain vigilant. The outside world will not let us expand our influence unopposed.»
Volmeryn: «That's why, we will be ready to respond to any threat, whether it comes from within or from without.»
Cælora was forging herself in the fire of strategy, ambition, and power.
The kingdom was no longer a distant dream. It was a reality, and that reality was going to change the universe.